I’m a bodger and a blacksmith, making tables and chairs in iron and wood. When I’m not in the shop, I’m journeying to woodworking shows to demonstrate the spring pole lathe or teach workshops in traditional woodworking and metal smithing. I travel quite a bit, and if you’ve ever watched the way the baggage handlers deal with your luggage, you’ll understand why I built an oak box banded in iron to carry my woodworking tools.

The tool box described here was made of quartersawn oak from a winery in northern California. I’ve built instrument cases for rare and antique musical instruments, and I’ve found the lid moved considerably with humidity changes. So with this toolbox I’ve allowed the top and bottom to float in a groove in the sides and ends, much like a frame-and-panel door.